CCL Label has announced an expansion of its floatable polyolefin (PO) shrink sleeve line, designed to improve the recycling of PET, HDPE, and PP packaging. The updated product range aims to replace traditional materials like PET-G, PVC, and OPS, which can complicate recycling processes.
“We are proud to share our extended range of floatable shrink sleeves that work in established PET, HDPE, and PP waste streams,” said Reinhard Streit, VP and Managing Director Food & Beverage at CCL Label. The new range includes various options, such as a high shrink version, a thinner 45-micron sleeve, and EcoFloat WHITE, tailored for light-sensitive products like dairy.
Marika Knorr, Head of Sustainability and Communication at CCL Label, highlighted the environmental benefits: “EcoFloat sleeves made from low-density material are an ideal alternative. They automatically separate from PET flakes in the sink/float process, leading to very clean PET flakes that can be recycled back into new bottles.”
The high shrink version, with a shrink rate exceeding 70%, addresses the need for sleeves that conform to complex bottle shapes. Shivern Reddy, Sales Director at CCL Label South Africa, noted, “We have just released a new version where the shrink is well above 70 percent, which makes even difficult bottle shapes work with shrink sleeves.”
Additionally, the thinner 45-micron version offers material efficiency and a lower carbon footprint, while EcoFloat WHITE is designed for packaging products sensitive to light, such as dairy. Reddy explained, “Shifting from an opaque bottle to a clear PET bottle with an EcoFloat WHITE shrink sleeve increases the amount of clear PET that can be reclaimed for bottle-to-bottle recycling.”
The new EcoFloat sleeves are endorsed by organizations including the Association of Plastics Recyclers and EPBP, aligning with ongoing efforts to enhance recycling and sustainability in the packaging industry.